Archive for September 14th, 2007

Hebrews 12:1-4
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside Godâ€™s throne in heaven. 3 Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

The Israelites were instructed by God to remove every person, idol and temple before they moved into the Promised Land.Â God did not want them to mix into their group with people who worshiped idols.Â He knew they would soon take on the pagan beliefs and rituals and break the first commandment.Â He told them if they did not obey that He would do to them what was intended for the pagans.Â But they did not obey and suffered greatly for it later.Â God tells the same thing to us today.Â Before we can become the righteousness of Christ, we have to remove every sin that weighs us down.Â Hebrews gives us a long list of those who have done so.Â They were not perfect people, but they did strip off every sin that kept them from doing the will of God.Â What sin is weighing you down today?Â What is keeping you from being all that God intended?Â As the Spirit speaks to your heart about a certain sin that needs to be removed, listen to that voice.Â Move into obedience and experience the power of God that only comes with the action of obedience to Him. Do not make the same mistakes again.Â Grow into the child of God that you are.
Â
Have a God Day!